Mayoral candidate Raposa says he can take city to next level

Mike Raposa feels he has what is needed to cure the city’s ills.

Raposa, a past candidate for City Council, state representative and mayor, is making another attempt for the sixth floor. Raposa has scheduled a campaign kickoff for April 13 at 1 p.m. at Brother’s Pub.

Raposa, a past candidate for City Council, state representative and mayor, is making another attempt for the sixth floor. Raposa has scheduled a campaign kickoff for April 13 at 1 p.m. at Brother’s Pub.

“I can fix the city and all its issues,” Raposa said when asked why he was running for mayor.

Raposa, a retired Army sergeant, said his campaign platform begins with a pledge to increase the ranks of the police department to 300 and adding two more paramedic units in the city. He pledged no layoffs within the fire department and ensured schools will have all of the supplies needed to teach children.

To cover the related expense of these initiatives, Raposa, a Fall River native, claimed there is already enough money in the city without a need to increase taxes.

“Some of it is being used to create jobs in city hall that are not needed,” Raposa said, alleging there are about a dozen such positions in city government.

While Raposa’s previous attempts for office have been unsuccessful — often failing to advance past the primary or preliminary stage — he said this time could be different because he has a stronger support system and better understanding of the city.

“I have a bigger network of names from having been out there to run for council, state representative and mayor,” Raposa said. “Those times provided a learning experience. Now I really know how to get out there and speak with people.”

Raposa said he also has the ability to bring more business enterprises to Fall River and has reached out to companies such as Facebook and Hess about opportunities in Fall River.

He said his military experience has also provided him with a worldly view that he can bring to Fall River.

“I can get these people to come to Fall River because I didn’t live here my whole life,” Raposa said. “Going into the military, I got to go all over the world, and I got to learn the different ways that business works.”